Upad Blog

Ask Upad: Is there a funkier alternative to magnolia?

Dan @ Upad — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 11:55:48 +0000

In football they call it “narrowing the angle”, where the goalkeeper moves towards the striker to increase your chance of preventing a goal. And a mathematician would understand it as the “lowest common denominator.” For landlords, it’s magnolia. When it comes to decorating a property for let, the best idea is to provide a neutral space that the tenants feel that they can... Read more

Shelter takes on rogue landlords

Dan @ Upad — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:11:20 +0000

Homeless charity Shelter has published a report claiming that 90% of surveyed EHOs (environmental health officers) “who deal directly with private renters had encountered landlords harassing or illegally evicting their tenants.” Shelter reports that 90% have also “encountered cases of severe damp, mould, electrical or fire safety hazards in properties they investigated in the last... Read more

Cannabis Factories. Are you at risk?

Sue @ Upad — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:20:04 +0000

Hamilton Fraser provides best practice guidance for landlords Police forces across the country have reported a rising number of rented properties being used to grow cannabis. Purely from Hamilton Fraser’s experience, claims for damage caused by unscrupulous tenants can range from a few thousand pounds to total losses from resultant fire. To help prevent your rental property from being... Read more

Councils to decide HMO regulation

Sue @ Upad — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:52:23 +0000

The Housing Minister has announced that local authorities are to be given the power to decide whether Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) will require planning permission. Currently, landlords have to apply for planning permission when turning any property into an HMO: the Minister has said that relaxing this requirement could cut 8,500 applications from the system. Grant Shapps said:... Read more

Landlord confidence in buy-to-let falls

Sue @ Upad — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:06:38 +0000

Uncertainties in the housing market and the economy in general, problems with finance and worries about unemployment are all affecting landlords’ confidence in the buy-to-let market. That’s the finding from the latest Landlord Confidence Index survey from Upad.co.uk. 57% of the 319 landlords responding to the survey said that they were more confident this month than last. This is down... Read more

Student lets are opportunity for landlords

Dan @ Upad — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:06:52 +0000

Upad is advising landlords to embrace the student opportunity this autumn as the university year starts once more. With fewer undergraduate places up for grabs this year, landlords will have to work harder to attract the best tenants to their properties. Upad CEO, James Davis says: “Today’s students will be in debt up their eyeballs when they graduate, but they often have more ready cash... Read more

Ask Upad: My tenant can’t provide a previous landlord’s reference, is that a problem?

Dan @ Upad — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:24:39 +0000

There are all manner of things that a landlord can reasonably ask for when they’re interviewing and screening a potential tenant. That could be proof of identity using a passport or the like, bank and work references, credit scoring, recommendation from previous landlords and even personal character references. Your aim is get the information you need to make a judgment on whether the person is... Read more

Meet the Team : Katrina Suppiah

Sue @ Upad — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:00:13 +0000

1. Tell us who you are and what your job title is. Katrina Suppiah, director of Publicité, a public relations agency. 2. What do you do at Upad? Our business represents Upad in its media relations activity. We issue announcements on behalf of the company, and look to achieve offline and online articles. The main aim is to make Upad ‘top of mind’ when it comes to the private rental... Read more

Book now for the UK’s premier private rented sector event

Sue @ Upad — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:20:18 +0000

Coming to Olympia Conference Centre on 8-9th September with free entry for all, the Landlord & Letting Show attracts increasing visitor numbers year on year, proving it is the only place to be for all landlords, letting agents and associated industry professionals wanting to access to the best advice and information. With over 60 exhibitors attending, visitors have access to all of the best... Read more

Property of the Week: Studio Flat in Golders Green

Joel @ Upad — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:35:17 +0000

This week's property of the week is a self-contained studio apartment in Golders Green, London. This is a great practical example of how advantageous it is to take time to prepare before taking photos. The bedroom is tidy and well arranged; all the lines go in the same direction and the colours are coordinated. The picture of the bathroom, though not pretending to be bigger than it is,... Read more